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What does the Bible say about what happens after death?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that death brings every person before God, with believers received by Christ in hope and unbelievers awaiting righteous judgment, followed by bodily resurrection and eternal destiny. Ecclesiastes 12:7 says the spirit returns to God, while Hebrews 9:27 joins death with judgment. For those who trust Christ, death is not hopeless: Jesus promised the repentant thief, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), and 1 Thessalonians 4:13 comforts grieving Christians with resurrection hope. Through Christ, eternal life is God’s gift (John 3:16; Romans 6:23). At the final judgment, the righteous enter eternal life and the wicked eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46; Revelation 20:14).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • John 3:16 8 votes

    For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

  • James 2:26 7 votes

    For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.

  • Matthew 25:46 7 votes

    These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

  • Luke 20:36 6 votes

    For they can't die any more, for they are like the angels, and are children of God, being children of the resurrection.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:7 5 votes

    And the dust returns to the earth as it was, And the spirit returns to God who gave it.

  • Romans 6:23 5 votes

    For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  • Revelation 20:14 4 votes

    Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13 4 votes

    But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like the rest, who have no hope.

  • Luke 23:43 4 votes

    Jesus said to him, "Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

  • Hebrews 9:27 3 votes

    Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once, and after this, judgment,

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